Down syndrome baby lands swimsuit modeling job

A 10-month-old baby named Valentina Guerrero is the new lead model for Spanish swimwear designer Dolores Cortés’ 2013 children’s swimsuit collection, DC Kids, according to MSNBC. The baby girl graces the cover of the new Dolores Cortés USA catalog.

With an adorable smiley face, this baby from Miami has the look of a model but she’s an unlikely choice because she has Down syndrome.

The blogosphere is praising Cortés for choosing Valentina and sending a message of inclusion. The designer is making the point that all children deserve opportunities regardless of their appearance or a medical condition.

Cortés announced the news last week at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim in Miami Beach and walked down the runway holding Valentina in her arms. She told AdWeek:

“People with Down syndrome are just as beautiful and deserve the same opportunities. I’m thrilled to have Valentina modeling for us.”

Valentina isn’t the first Down syndrome child to model. Earlier this year Target released an ad featuring a blue-eyed, shaggy blonde-haired boy named Ryan. Target was applauded for being low-key about the ad. The company never created a press release, sending the message that Ryan was just like the other kids.

A father of a Down syndrome child wrote on his blog Noah’s Dad:

This wasn’t a “Special Clothing For Special People” catalog. There wasn’t a call out somewhere on the page proudly proclaiming that “Target’s proud to feature a model with Down syndrome in this week’s ad!” And they didn’t even ask him to model a shirt with the phrase, “We Aren’t All Angels” printed on the front. In other words, they didn’t make a big deal out of it. I like that.